INQToday: Stop ‘coercive use’ of coast guard in South China Sea – US, Japan, PH to China

Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:

US, Japan, PH to China: Stop ‘coercive use’ of coast guard in South China Sea

The heads of state of the Philippines, US, and Japan have called on China to stop using its coast guard in a coercive manner.

They also reminded China that ownership of several areas in the West Philippine Sea has been settled in the July 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)

Biden reiterates: Any attack on PH aircraft, ship in SCS will invoke MDT

US President Joe Biden has again guaranteed that any attack on a Philippine aircraft, vessel, or armed forces in the South China Sea will invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).

Biden made it clear in his opening speech at the summit with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio here on Thursday afternoon that Washington’s defense commitments to the two Asian countries are “ironclad.”

China insists ‘gentleman’s agreement’ under Duterte administration

China on Thursday insisted on the existence of a “gentleman’s agreement” made during former president Rodrigo Duterte’s tenure.

In a press conference, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning once again accused the Philippines of infringing on China’s territory, further claiming ownership of Ayungin Shoal — which it called Ren’ai Jiao.

Chiz opens up on Edsa bus lane breach, says sorry

Senator Francis Escudero apologized on Friday (April 12) for what he said was “unauthorized” use of the protocol license plate No. 7 assigned to him by a luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) caught illegally using the Edsa bus lane.

The incident was reported on Thursday (March 11).